World War II has been extensively studied from diverse angles and perspectives, resulting in the presentation of well-known facts in innovative and novel ways.
The reevaluation of this global conflict is an ongoing process, debunking myths while also unearthing remarkably realistic accounts.
Moreover, there are facts that seemingly materialize out of nowhere, providing fresh insights and perspectives previously absent from our textbooks and digital sources.
The abundance of information concerning World War II is truly remarkable, leaving us astounded by how much we had been unaware of until now.
William Overstreet Jr. Between The Legs Of The Eiffel Tower
In the spring of 1944, an American pilot named William Overstreet Jr., belonging to the 357th Fighter Group, found himself engaged in a dogfight above France.
Operating a P-51B Mustang, also known as the Berlin Express, he pursued a Messerschmitt Bf 109 which was making its way towards the skies over Paris.
With precise aim, he fired at the German aircraft, repeatedly hitting it until the enemy plane daringly flew between the legs of the iconic Eiffel Tower. Fearless and determined, Overstreet followed suit, narrating his experience as follows:
“I stayed right behind him, flying under the Eiffel Tower, matching his every move. When he finally pulled up, I seized the opportunity and successfully took him down.
However, one must realize the vastness of that space. Immediately after disabling him, I quickly descended near the river, becoming a smaller target for the Germans. From there, I followed the river until I was safely away from Paris.”
The sight of Overstreet maneuvering so skillfully over the city had a profound impact on both French Resistance forces and civilians.
It became a symbol of inspiration, inciting an uprising that US Army Chaplain Pastor Jeff Clemmons described as a defiance against the Germans that persisted for three days.
German Navy And Its One And Only Large Enough Shipyard
Germany faced a significant challenge when it came to servicing its largest battleships, the Bismarck and Tirpitz, as it had only one dry dock capable of accommodating them.
This crucial facility was located in Saint-Nazaire, France, situated on the Loire estuary. Originally designed for ocean liners.
The shipyard gained strategic importance as it fell under German control after France’s surrender during World War II, becoming a key stronghold within the Atlantic Wall.
In 1940, Germany seized control of Saint-Nazaire, and after the sinking of the Bismarck in 1941, the Tirpitz remained as a prime target for the Allied forces.
Winston Churchill emphasized the significance of neutralizing the Tirpitz, stating that it was the most crucial naval objective at that time, capable of shifting the entire war’s strategy.
To eliminate the Tirpitz, the Allies launched Operation Chariot in 1942. The mission aimed to raid the Saint-Nazaire facility, and it involved the explosive-packed HMS Campbelltown ramming the dock gates, allowing British troops to gain access.
Tragically, out of the 611 British men who took part in the operation, 169 lost their lives, and 32 were captured as prisoners of war.
Nevertheless, the mission succeeded in its primary objective, as the massive explosion caused by the Campbelltown rendered the dock inoperable.
Gino Bartali A Cyclist And A Resistance Messenger
Italian cyclist Gino Bartali, known for winning the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France, defied Mussolini’s regime by not dedicating his victories to the leader.
During WWII, he bravely assisted the Italian Resistance by carrying secret messages hidden in his bike’s frame and handlebars.
When stopped, he protected his bike’s calibration for speed. Bartali also sheltered his Jewish friend Giacomo Goldenberg and family in his Florence home.
His cellar became their safe haven until the city’s liberation. Despite being hailed as a hero, Bartali remained modest.
Believing real heroes were those who suffered for their loved ones. He wanted to be remembered for his sporting achievements, seeing himself as just a cyclist.
Fanta A Drink To Replace Coca-Cola
Fanta came into existence to fill the void left by Coca-Cola in Germany. In the 1930s, Coca-Cola’s popularity was on the rise in the country, thanks to its sports-focused marketing strategy.
However, when war broke out, embargoes prevented Coca-Cola GmbH from accessing the necessary ingredients for its classic drink.
To overcome this obstacle, Max Keith, the head of Coca-Cola GmbH, turned to local resources and created a new beverage called Fanta.
Initially, Fanta was made from whatever ingredients they could find, but with the introduction of beet sugar, its taste improved, and it was named after the German word for fantasy.
After a brief discontinuation during the war, Fanta reappeared in 1955, this time with the orange flavor that we now know as Fanta.
It was first sold in Italy and later introduced to the United States in 1960, becoming a beloved soft drink worldwide.
Paradummies Used On D-Day
Developed by the British, paradummies were at the heart of Operation Titanic — one of many initiatives designed to confuse German forces.
In anticipation of the D-Day landing on June 6, 1944, dummies named “Rupert” (British slang for dull, middle- or upper-class junior officers) landed behind enemy lines.
The Ruperts consisted of burlap, rubber, and sand; they measured about 3 feet tall; and were designed to explode when they landed, to simulate the sound of gunfire.
As many as 500 Ruperts were dropped near the beaches of Normandy late on June 5, 1944, alongside a gramophone reel parachuters set up to mimic the sound of men talking.
Those same parachuters then fired pistols to create the illusion of Allied forces in the vicinity, distracting German soldiers who missed the initial D-Day landings the next morning.
Allies Ghost Army
Referred to as the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, the “Ghost Army” was a remarkable creation that emerged from the combined efforts of artists, engineers, and soldiers.
This unit was equipped with ingenious tools such as inflatable tanks, fake armaments, and artificial sound effects.
It earned the distinction of being the first mobile, multimedia, tactical deception unit in the history of the US Army, as recognized by the National WWII Museum.
Operating from 1944 to 1945, the Ghost Army embarked on approximately twenty-four campaigns in France, Germany, and Italy.
During a critical moment in March 1945, when the US 9th Army approached the Rhine River, the Ghost Army executed a brilliant diversionary tactic.
By drawing the Germans away, they paved the way for the Allied forces to make a successful crossing. Sgt. Robert Tompkins, a member of the 23rd, documented the event in his diary, highlighting the significance of their ruse in securing the crossing without encountering much resistance.
Though the Ghost Army remained largely unknown to the public until the 1980s, it was not until the 1990s that the unit’s details were declassified.
In a well-deserved recognition of their exceptional contributions, the members of the Ghost Army were bestowed with Congressional Gold Medals in 2022.
US Air Dropping Pianos To Soldiers In The Battlefield
During World War II, Steinway & Sons suspended the production of their traditional pianos due to the scarcity of materials required for the war effort.
However, they didn’t shut down entirely and continued to contribute to the war in other ways by making coffins and parts for military transports.
Additionally, the company received a contract from the War Production Board to create pianos that could be sent into battle.
These upright pianos, also referred to as “Victory Verticals” or “G.I. Steinways,” were small and sturdy and had an olive-drab paint job.
They were shipped to military theaters around the world using cargo vessels and transport planes. Between 1942 and 1943, about 3,000 Victory Verticals were produced, each equipped with tuning tools and instructions for the recipients.
The arrival of a Victory Vertical brought welcomed entertainment and comfort during wartime. For instance, a US Army Pvt. Kenneth Kranes wrote to his mother from North Africa on May 6, 1943, sharing his excitement:
“We recently had a pleasant surprise when a jeep pulling a small wagon arrived at our camp. A smaller Steinway piano, painted the same shade of olive green as the jeep, was inside the waggon.
We all had a great time gathering around it after meals to sing. The joy from that moment stayed with me as I went to sleep, and even now, I find myself humming the songs we sang.”
